From downtown Tokyo, take the JR Chuo Line (bound for Ome) and transfer at Ome Station to the Ome Line. Ride to the end of the line to reach Okutama Station. We depart from Ochanomizu Station, and with one transfer, we can reach Okutama.

The unmanned train stations in the mountains give a special feeling of traveling, which is known as 'ryojou' in Japanese.

Here boasts a cozy indoor atmosphere, complemented by a comfortable terrace. As it happens, this day is my birthday, spent traveling once again. I hope to have many wonderful journeys throughout this year! Lunch is served in a one-plate style, with prices mostly around 1000 Japanese yen. For a restaurant near the trailhead, I think it's quite trendy and delicious!

Then we began our hike for the day on a trail called the "Ōkutama Walking Trail" (Ōkutama Kenkō Bunka). It spans a total of 4.4 kilometers, but we didn't start from the beginning. We planned to walk about 3 kilometers.

This suspension bridge is called Hatonosu small bridge. After crossing it, we descend into the valley, where the path is made up of large rocks. If you plan to come here, remember to wear sneakers. Otherwise, wearing leather shoes or even high heels could be a bit risky. (Who would wear high heels to Okutama anyway?)

Along the way, you'll pass a hydroelectric power plant dam. When developing the valley, pathways for fish were also created to maintain the ecosystem, allowing them to migrate upstream. These fish ladders, designed like staircases with tiers and tall walls, provide rest spots for fish that get tired from jumping. Isn't that considerate?

We passed a cafe that seemed quite charming and, on a whim, decided to stop for a snack (didn’t we just have lunch?). You know how it is – travelers can indeed be whimsical.

For friends planning to hike in this area, be sure to stop by the Okutama Visitor Center to gather information and submit a hiking plan.

Next, we walked down to Ōgigawa Shrine, where there are three cedar trees known as the "Three Cedars."

After crossing Glacier Bridge, you can enjoy the beautiful scenery of the glacier valley. The glacier valley is a great spot for locals to camp and play in the water. On weekday afternoons, you can often see many people pitching tents here, enjoying their own leisurely time!

The hotel we're staying at today is the most luxurious and stylish one in this area. Typically, when people come to Okutama, they stay in guesthouses and enjoy local mountain vegetable dishes prepared by residents. However, now we have the option of "Hatonosu-so," where we can enjoy excellent Italian cuisine and trendy rooms. The room has a balcony overlooking the beautiful scenery of Hatonosu Valley. I can only imagine how stunning it must be during the autumn foliage season. Just thinking about it fills me with excitement. I never imagined there would be such a hidden gem within Tokyo. Visiting this place on my birthday truly makes me feel fortunate!
If you soak in the open-air hot spring at the public bath, you can also enjoy a similar view. Since taking photos isn't allowed in the baths, you'll have to use your imagination!

After finishing dinner, I returned to the hotel lobby and happened to encounter the hotel manager. I chatted with him briefly, asking why they chose Italian cuisine for dinner. He gave me a fantastic answer.
In the Okutama area, almost all accommodations are operated by locals and primarily offer Japanese-style cuisine. This allows visitors to savor local ingredients with a cozy, family-style flavor. If Hatonosu-so were to also focus on Japanese cuisine, it might directly compete with local residents, potentially leading to tension among neighbors – a situation they’d prefer to avoid.
The manager's words were truly insightful. While everyone wants to make a good living, there are many things more important than just making money in this world. When everyone works together towards a common goal, sometimes collaborating, sometimes competing, it creates a beautiful dynamic of relationship. I feel the same way. Tonight's beer is going to taste delicious!

Across from Okutama Station is the bus stop for Lake Okutama. Since I had some time, I went up to the second floor of Okutama Station to explore. There's a small café here and they also sell some hiking gear, as well as local specialties.

Because it was a national holiday in Japan, there were many visitors heading to Lake Okutama, and the bus was crowded with people. Despite this, the bus frequency was still quite low, so remember to check the timetable. Typically, buses only run once every hour, so if you miss one, you'll have to wait a long time for the next! It takes about 15 minutes to come from Okutama Station to this side of the lake by bus. However, if you were to walk, it would take around 40 to 50 minutes along mountain roads.

Lake Okutama is not its original name; it's actually a reservoir formed by a dam. Its real name is "Ogouchi Reservoir," but locals prefer to call it Lake Okutama because of its immense size, resembling a true lake! There are many trails to explore here, and if you want to complete them all, you need to be prepared to spend the whole day. Today, we're just planning to take a short stroll, opting for a route that takes less than 2 hours.

The nearby observation tower is currently under renovation, and it's such a pity that the distant view is obscured. If the weather were clear today, we would have been able to enjoy a beautiful scenery. Walking along and admiring the mountains reflected in the lake, it truly is a perfect place for a stroll. It lifts your spirits, and the scenery is so enjoyable.

The trails are surrounded by trees, giving a warm appearance, but it's cooler than it looks. Remember to prepare enough clothing!

I spent two days thoroughly exploring Oudomari and discovered it's truly a beautiful place. Just a 2-hour train ride from the bustling district of Tokyo, you can find stunning landscapes. Given this striking contrast, the time and expenses involved are quite reasonable. Even planning for a day trip is definitely feasible. Of course, if you have the time, spending a night like I did to experience the tranquility and leisure of Okutama is also a fantastic experience.